- Conference
- 2009 National LGBT Conference
- Date
- 31 July 2009
- Decision
- Carried
Conference welcomes the hard work of many UNISON members around the UK in being strong allies for transgender rights and equality. Of particular note is the tireless work of members of the Cymru/Wales Region in regard to challenging transphobic NHS policies and funding restrictions. Progress is finally being made to ensure that trans people living in Cymru/Wales can receive the basic gender reassignment medical assistance they need to live in accordance with their gender identities.
Conference also welcomes the new Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner’s Issue Paper on “Human Rights and Gender Identity” (available online). This is by far the most extensive statement to date on the human rights of Transgender people by the Council of Europe and it specifically recommends that Council of Europe member states should “make gender reassignment procedures, such as hormone treatment, surgery and psychological support, accessible for transgender persons, and ensure that they are reimbursed by public health insurance schemes”. UNISON’s Transgender rights work is highlighted as an example of good practice in the paper.
Conference notes with concern that the current economic difficulties present many risks to our public services and particular vigilance will be needed to protect trans people’s human rights of access to medical assistance from transphobic funding cuts and deliberately obstructive policies. Already, tabloid articles have begun to suggest that NHS gender reassignment services should be scrapped to save money – despite there being no significant financial saving to the NHS from any such transphobic action.
Conference therefore instructs the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee to:
1.Continue its work and activities in supporting transgender human rights;
2.Work with transgender equality organisations and UNISON regional LGBT groups to create a guide for UNISON trans-allies on how to identify and challenge transphobic NHS policies and funding cuts;
3.Work with other sections of UNISON, the Trades Union Congress and NHS equality structures to protect the availability of NHS gender reassignment medical assistance from transphobic funding cuts.